Isobel was sat in child seat when fire killed her

A TWO-YEAR-OLD girl was in a child seat in the back of a van next to her baby sister when she was killed by a fire, an inquest heard.

Yesterday, deputy coroner Melanie Williamson opened the inquest into the death of Isobel June Dobson, who died in the blaze at a farm in Wragby.

The scene of a fatal fire at Hessle farm, Wragby, near Wakefield....2nd October 2011....Picture By Simon Hulme..

Giving evidence, Det Insp Martin Hepworth, of the homicide and major inquiry team, said Isobel, her mother, stepdad and half-sister, had arrived at Hessle Farm at 4.15pm on Friday, September 30, to tend to their horses.

He told the inquest that Isobel and her one-year-old half-sister Sarah became tired and hungry so they were taken back to the van by Isobel’s stepdad Terry Webb.

He put both girls in child seats in the back of the converted Ford Transit van and returned to the stables.

At 5.20pm a witness who was in a field near the farm spotted smoke and raised the alarm.

Mr Webb rushed back to the van and managed to pull Sarah out of one of the van’s windows.

But he was unable to reach Isobel in time.

Isobel, who was from South Elmsall, was taken to Pinderfields Hospital but was pronounced dead soon after.

The inquest heard a provisional cause of death was most likely to be due to smoke inhalation.

An investigation by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service found that the fire did not start in the van, which was parked six feet away from a Dutch-style barn containing hay.

Mr Webb was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder on Sunday, October 2.

He was released on police bail pending further investigation on Wednesday, October 5.

Anyone with information should contact the homicide and major inquiry team on 0845 6060606.